Eickhoff



March 31, 1964 L. EICKHOFF 3,126,996

' COIN ACTUATED TIMING CONTROL DEVICE Filed June 20, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I I in 8Q {NVENTOR LOUIS EICKHOFF vBa M ATTORNEY L. EICKHOF F COI N ACTUATED TIMING CONTROL DEVICE March 31, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June-20, 1961 INVENTOR LOUIS EICKHOFF BY WW ATTORNEY United States Patent COEN A CTUATED TIMTNG CONTROL DEVHCE Louis Eielthoif, Ruben (Imp, 235 W. Main St, Patchcgue, NY.

Filed June 20, 1961, Ser. No. 118,326 6 (Jlaims. (tCi. 194-24) This invention relates to time metering devices which supply selected timing intervals for the control of associated machinery and particularly a timing device providing a wide range of accumulative and adjustable timing intervals.

Coin metered timing devices have been used in the past to operate machines for intervals determined by the fixed speed of a timing motor and the number of coins inserted. Each coin purchases a preset accumulative unit of time by causing a shaft to be rotated through a proportional angular increment, after which the timing motor is actuated for a corresponding interval to return the shaft to the original position. One such device is the subject matter of copending application Serial Number 839,457 entitled Timing Means, filed September 11, 1959 in the name of Louis Eickh-oif. These devices have generally been complex and difiicult to adjust to permit variations to be made in the timing unit interval. In order to provide other than standard intervals, it has generally been necessary to change the timing motor or to provide individual designs to meet each particular application.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide an improved and simplified timing device which is readily adaptable to supply a wide range of adjustable timing intervals.

The instant device utilizes a combined coin driven clutch and detent wheel to drive a notched screw away from an electric switch arm which actuates a timing motor. The motor shaft is adjustably geared to drive a threaded sleeve which returns the screw towards the switch and then stops the motor when the preset time has elapsed. The novel simplified arrangement eliminates a separate detent wheel, a large nut and driving rod, and a threaded shaft and stud of the aforementioned prior application, while the adjustable gearing now permits various intermediate timing intervals to be obtained.

The switch is actuated, upon insertion of the first coin, and upon completion of the timing cycle only. Accumulated coins do not cause the switch to actuate as in the case of other coin time accumulating mechanisms.

The detailed description and accompanying drawings which follow consider the invention in a particular configuration. It is to be understood that this represents but one embodiment chosen for the purpose of explanation and illustration and is not to be construed as defining the limits of the instant invention.

FIG. 1 is a front view of the novel timing device.

FIG. 2 is a vertical section on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an adjustable cage gear which may be utilized to drive the instant timing device.

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are side, front and vertical section views respectively of the cage gear.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a coin is inserted into a slot 1th through outer support plates 12 and 14 and an inner rotatable plate 15. Plate 15 is normally held in position by a spring urging a cammed portion 16 against a boss 17 secured to plate 14. A coin holding bracket 18 mounted on plate 15 receives the coin and together with a curved guide 19, afiixed to plate 14, holds the coin in place to engage a corresponding slot 20 in a cam and detent wheel 22. When the knob or handle 24 is turned clockwise, plate 15, secured to a shaft 26 which is comice mon to the knob, also turns and carries the coin. The coin then drives wheel 22 along with a collar 28 and hub 30 secured thereto. The wheel is in turn rotatably mounted on a sleeve 31. Extending through the hub and sleeve is a concentric screw 32 having longitudinal notches 34. Corresponding tongues 36 in hub 30 cause the screw to turn and move out from engagement with a threaded inner portion of the sleeve, the action of which will be more fully described hereinafter, towards another collar 38 on shaft 26. The extent of this movement determines the timing interval. A concentric hole 40 through collar 38 is adapted to receive screw 32 in an extreme withdrawn position. Within the hole are located a spring 42 and plate 44 which apply pressure to one end of the extended screw to urge it into contact with the end of the threads of sleeve 31 so that positive engagement may be obtained when the direction is later reversed.

The outer portion of detent wheel 22 rides against a spring urged pivotally mounted detent arm 46 and roller 48 which normally hold the wheel in position for a slot therein to accept a coin. A separate ratchet lever (not shown) which engages the sharp peaks of the detent wheel may be utilized in conjunction with the detent arm to prevent the wheel and knob from slipping back to the starting position during the turning operation, or said detent arm may itself perform this function (as shown). Upon completion of one turn of the knob, the detent arm 46 passes over the peak of the detent wheel and falls into the next groove to place the following slot in position to accept the next coin. At this point, the first coin moves beyond the end of guide 19 and drops out of the holding bracket into a collector box, and rotary plate 15 is released to return to its original position. A second boss 50 mounted on plate 14 limits the extent of movement of plate 15 beyond the guide. A large timing interval may thus be accumulated by successive operation of the handle and insertion of coins into the plurality of slots in wheel 22.

Previously mentioned sleeve 31 projects through a back plate 52. On the other side of the back plate are mounted a timing motor 54 and a normally On electric switch arm 56 and a pivotal actuating lever 58, which control the motor. The shaft 6% of the motor is connected to an adjustable pinion or gear 62 which meshes with a larger driven gear 64 which is in turn afiixed to sleeve 31, so that the motor shaft turns the sleeve. When not in use lever 58 is held in contact with switch arm 56 by screw 32 to maintain the motor and switch in an Off position. The switch is connected in series with both the motor and a utilization device such as a washing machine to control the operation thereof. When coins are inserted and the handle is turned, screw 32 is thus moved away from lever 58 by a predetermined amount to release the switch arm and permit the switch to actuate the motor. At the same time the coin drops out of the detent wheel 22 which with hub 3% is now held in position by arm 46. The motor then drives sleeve 31 to return the screw toward arm 56, with the screw being drawn through hub 30 guided by tongues 36 and notches 34. When the screw again engages lever 58 switch arm 56 stops the motor and the timing cycle is completed.

The arrangement of gears between the motor shaft and screw permits a wide range of timing intervals to be obtained. Driving gear 62 connected to shaft 60 is preferably in the form of a cage gear as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6. A plurality of removable rods 64 fit into corresponding holes 66 in a necked hub 68 which is secured to the motor shaft. The rods are secured between a head portion 70 and an end plate 72. The portion of the rods exposed at neck 74 serve as gear teeth which are adapted to engage and drive gear 64. Removal of these rods in a predetermined, preferably symmetrical .21 pattern establishes a new gear and speed ratio between the driven gear and shaft and thus permits control of the speed of movement of screw 32 and selection of a wide range of timing intervals. It will be seen that at least one rod must remain to establish contact with gear 64.

Due to the spacing of the rods when less than a full complement is utilized, groups of toothed portions of the larger gear will not mesh with corresponding rods. Thus movement of the gear 64 and the screw Will be slower and intermittent, with motion occurring only during the actual engagement of the rods and teeth. This interrupted motion is only intermediate however, and does not affect the overall timing interval which is determined by the total movement and time of travel of the screw away from and towards the motor switch. Further adjustment of the timing intervals may also be made by changing the driven gear. In addition the prior method of changing the timing motor may be utilized. As an example of the timing ranges made available in this manner, variations of between A minute and 360 minutes have been achieved.

It may thus be seen that the instant invention provides a novel simplified timing control device which achieves a wide range of readily adjustable timing intervals. While a particular embodiment of the invention has been illustrated, it is apparent that the device is not limited to the exact form or use indicated and that many other variations may be made in the instant design and configuration without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A timing control device comprising a timing motor having a rotatable shaft, a switch connected to operate said motor and shaft and control a utilization device, a coin actuated switch control means, an actuating lever connecting said switch control means to said switch, an internally threaded sleeve adjustably geared to said shaft, a threaded screw extending within and engaging said sleeve, said screw being connected to operate said lever, a rotatable wheel slidably engaging said screw to turn and move said screw in said sleeve away from said lever to operate said switch and start said motor, said shaft rotating said sleeve to return said screw towards said lever and stop said motor within a predetermined time, said wheel being adapted to be driven by a coin, and including means to receive and hold said coin in rotatable engagement with said wheel, said wheel comprising a detent cam having a plurality of slots to receive said coin and grooves to position said wheel, and said means to receive and hold said coin comprising a rotatable plate having a slot and a bracket for said coin and a handle for rotating said plate, said screw having longitudinal notches and said wheel having a hub with tongues slidably engaging said notches.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein a toothed driven gear is affixed to said sleeve and a driving gear amxed to said shaft, said driving gear comprising a cage gear having peripheral rods engageable with said toothed gear, said rods being removable to provide adjustable gear and speed ratios between said shaft and screw to permit selection of a wide range of timing intervals.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said rotatable plate comprises a collar mounted on said plate, said collar having a hole adapted to receive said screw in a position extended from said sleeve, said hole including a spring and end plate urging said screw into engagement with said sleeve.

4. The device of claim 3 including a spring urged detent arm adapted to engage said grooves and hold said detent cam in position to accept said coin.

5. The device of claim 4 including means limiting the angular movement of said rotatable plate and permitting said coin to drop out of said bracket to position said plate and wheel to accept a following coin.

6. The device of claim 3 including a spring urged detent arm adapted to prevent said cam from slipping back during manual rotation of said handle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,226,587 Paul May 15, 1917 1,957,901 Nehls May 8, 1934 2,139,523 Smith Dec. 6, 1938 2,924,320 Greenwald Feb. 9, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 19,621 Great Britain June 17, 1899 481,339 Germany Aug. 21, 1929 404,464 Great Britain Jan. 18, 1934 438,454 Great Britain Nov. 18, 1935 

1. A TIMING CONTROL DEVICE COMPRISING A TIMING MOTOR HAVING A ROTATABLE SHAFT, A SWITCH CONNECTED TO OPERATE SAID MOTOR AND SHAFT AND CONTROL A UTILIZATION DEVICE, A COIN ACTUATED SWITCH CONTROL MEANS, AN ACTUATING LEVER CONNECTING SAID SWITCH CONTROL MEANS TO SAID SWITCH, AN INTERNALLY THREADED SLEEVE ADJUSTABLY GEARED TO SAID SHAFT, A THREADED SCREW EXTENDING WITHIN AND ENGAGING SAID SLEEVE, SAID SCREW BEING CONNECTED TO OPERATE SAID LEVER, A ROTATABLE WHEEL SLIDABLY ENGAGING SAID SCREW TO TURN AND MOVE SAID SCREW IN SAID SLEEVE AWAY FROM SAID LEVER TO OPERATE SAID SWITCH AND START SAID MOTOR, SAID SHAFT ROTATING SAID SLEEVE TO RETURN SAID SCREW TOWARDS SAID LEVER AND STOP SAID MOTOR WITHIN A PREDETERMINED TIME, SAID WHEEL BEING ADAPTED TO BE DRIVEN BY A COIN, AND INCLUDING MEANS TO RECEIVE AND HOLD SAID COIN IN ROTATABLE ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID WHEEL, SAID WHEEL COMPRISING A DETENT CAM HAVING A PLURALITY OF SLOTS TO RECEIVE SAID COIN AND GROOVES TO POSITION SAID WHEEL, AND SAID MEANS TO RECEIVE AND HOLD SAID COIN COMPRISING A ROTATABLE PLATE HAVING A SLOT AND A BRACKET FOR SAID COIN AND A HANDLE FOR ROTATING SAID PLATE, SAID SCREW HAVING LONGITUDINAL NOTCHES AND SAID WHEEL HAVING A HUB WITH TONGUES SLIDABLY ENGAGING SAID NOTCHES. 